Did you know that an estimated 52% of the installed wind capacity in Denmark is owned by local communities through community shared ownership models? In Scotland, by comparison, only 0.2% of installed wind capacity is owned by local communities through community shared ownership.

This is despite community shared ownership being a recognised Scottish Government ambition since 2014 and forming a key objective in the Scottish Government’s Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan. To quote the Scottish Government directly:

Given that shared ownership has been a Scottish Government focus since 2014, 0.2% of current installed capacity is falling significantly short of ambitions.

So what needs to change to propel forward community shared ownership and offer communities a fair and profitable stake in Scotland’s booming renewables industry? To answer this, the Scottish Community Coalition on Energy (DTA Scotland, Community Energy Scotland, Community Land Scotland, Scottish Communities Finance) has produced a community shared ownership Call to Action paper, setting out the key changes needed to deliver an improved system to enable more communities to take up shared ownership opportunities.

Our 5 Calls to Action:

1. Proactive and transparent mapping of shared ownership opportunities and more early-stage awareness raising
2. Further clarity on Scottish and UK Government shared ownership policy and targets, including a consultation on a mandatory approach to offering and reporting on shared ownership
3. A significant increase in support to build community capacity to progress, often complex, shared ownership opportunities.
4. Development of the funding market for shared ownership- including creation of bespoke, affordable and patient financing products for communities to progress shared ownership
5. Development of fairer investment opportunities for all – prioritising communities local to renewable developments but widening out shared ownership opportunities where appropriate.

Collective action is required to tackle these actions. We are calling on Scottish and UK government, renewable developers and key intermediaries to get behind our Call to Action and work with us to champion shared ownership in Scotland.

Scotland’s communities deserve a fairer share and stake in the ownership of and benefits from the renewables industry. Urgent action is needed to ensure a Just Transition does not remain a pipedream.

For more information / direct any questions to: morven@dtascot.org.uk